Lots Of Visits To Loji Gandrung, Is It Possible For Gibran To Go To DKI Jakarta To Replace Anies Baswedan?

Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka (Photo: Twitter @PEMKOT_SOLO)

JAKARTA - Several high-ranking political parties took turns visiting Loji Gandrung, the official residence of Solo Mayor Gibran Rakabuming Raka. Starting from the Chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) Muhaimin Iskandar to Gerindra Party Secretary-General Ahmad Muzani meeting the eldest son of President Joko Widodo.

Visiting Loji Gandrung, Gerindra Party Secretary-General Ahmad Muzani denied that his entourage was present to provide support for Gibran to advance in the DKI Jakarta governor election. The reason is, this contestation is still far away and Gibran has just been sworn in.

"It's still 2024. He (Gibran, red) was just appointed in February", Muzani told reporters after meeting with Gibran, Sunday, March 28.

He said this meeting only discussed Gibran's leadership in Solo. Moreover, the party made by Prabowo Subianto is one of the supporting parties as to the mayor of Solo.

"It is in our interest that he should be a successful mayor, a good one, and so on. So that Solo will become a developed city and become a good city, "he said.

In addition to Gibran's meeting with the Gerindra Party entourage, the day before or Saturday, March 27, he also met with the Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Gelora Party Fahri Hamzah.

After the meeting, Fahri said that several issues were being discussed, including the management of city planning and other matters, including asking Gibran to establish himself as a politician. Also, this former member of the DPR RI appreciated Gibran's victory in the 2020 Regional election.

"He is one of the youngest mayors in Indonesia today, representing the new generation leading a city that is well known for taking the tagline 'spirit of Java'. In fact, I think Solo is also the soul of the Indonesian nation", he said.

When asked about the possibility that Gibran would be withdrawn to the Gelora Party, Fahri said this was not included in the discussion. He only entrusted his party and wanted to participate in building Solo City.

The earliest meeting was held by PKB Chairman Muhaimin Iskandar or Cak Imin. Visiting Loji Gandrung on Wednesday, March 24, he admitted that he wanted to stay in touch and give encouragement to President Jokowi's eldest son.

Meanwhile, regarding the issue that Gibran will run as Governor of DKI Jakarta, Cak Imin said that the party supports it. Moreover, if Kaesang Pangarep's older brother is successful in Solo.

"First success in Solo, then anywhere. God willing, Mas Gibran, a successful future leader in Solo, will bring progress everywhere. I will definitely support him", he said.

Gibran responded to various visits by high-ranking party officials. From the start of his meeting with PKB to Gerindra, the Mayor of Solo clearly stated that there was no discussion about advancing to the seat of DKI 1.

In fact, at a meeting with Ahmad Muzani and Gerindra's entourage, Gibran admitted that he only reported the handling of COVID-19 in Solo City.

"Yes, there are several, yes, I reported that Solo had the vaccination speeding up, it was green zone, the children were ready to go to school. Yes, just ask for your support", he said.

Seeing the visit of high-ranking party officials, Executive Director of the Indonesia Political Review, Ujang Komarudin, considered this an indication that Jokowi's eldest son was indeed being prepared to advance to the DKI Jakarta Regional election.

Ujang did not want to answer the question of whether Gibran would be tempted to follow in his father's footsteps. However, according to him, the chance for the Mayor of Solo to advance in the future gubernatorial election is quite large.

"The chance for Gibran to advance in the DKI Jakarta Pilgub is very big. The opportunity is great”, he said when contacted by VOI.

There are several causes and one of them is the name of the father, namely President Jokowi. "So it looks like Gibran will repeat Jokowi's pattern. From the mayor of Solo to become a candidate for governor", said Ujang.

Even if Gibran ran as a candidate for governor, Ujang assessed that he would not have to worry about getting a negative image because he suddenly jumped into the capital city. "Because of the evidence, Jokowi also jumped first. But he won, right", he said.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Indonesia Political Opinion, Dedi Kurnia Syah, has the opposite opinion. It is considered too early for Gibran to advance in the DKI Jakarta Pilgub.

"He has not at all been proven to have any leadership achievements as well as the contestation period which is still far ahead", he said.

"Even if there are political parties that try to take the niche of Gibran and Jokowi voters, obviously it is only for political interests and testing the public's response, they don't really see Gibran's capacity", Dedi concluded.